Interaction of Radiation with Matter focuses on the physics of the interactions of ionizing radiation in living matter and the Monte Carlo simulation of radiation tracks. Clearly progressing from an elementary level to the state of the art, the text explores the classical physics of track description as well as modern aspects based on condensed matter physics. The first section of the book discusses the fundamentals of the radiation field. In the second section, the authors describe the cross sections for electrons and heavy ions—the most important information needed for simulating radiation track at the molecular level. The third section details the inelastic scattering and energy loss of charged particles in condensed media, particularly liquid water. The final section contains a large number of questions and problems to reinforce learning. Designed for radiation interaction courses, this textbook is the ideal platform for teaching students in medical/health physics and nuclear engineering. It gives students a solid grounding in the physical understanding of radiation track structure in living matter, enabling them to pursue further work in radiological physics and radiation dosimetry.

This book is based on lecture notes developed for a one-semester graduate course entitled The Interaction of Radiation with Matter, taught in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The main objective of the course is to teach enough quantum and classical radiation theory to allow students in engineering and the applied sciences to understand and have access to the vast literature on applications of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation in materials research. Besides presenting the fundamental physics of radiation interactions, the book devotes individual chapters to some of the important modern-day experimental tools, such as nuclear magnetic resonance, photon correlation spectroscopy, and the various types of neutron, x-ray and light-scattering techniques.

Beginning with a concise introduction on the constituents of matter (elementary particles, atomic nuclei, atoms and molecules), this course on the structure of matter focuses on the interaction of particles and radiation with matter. The course is divided into fourteen lectures with each ranging from physical fundamentals to current topics in subatomic and atomic research, thus making links to modern applications. Currently important topics such as channeling, the interaction between molecular ions and matter, and muon-catalyzed fusion are also discussed. The text is suitable as an introduction for graduate students and as a reference for scientists.

This invaluable book is based on lecture notes developed for a one-semester graduate course entitled "Interaction of Radiation with Matter", taught in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The main objective of the course is to teach enough quantum and classical radiation theory to allow students in engineering and the applied sciences to understand and have access to the vast literature on applications of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation in materials research. Besides presenting the fundamental physics of radiation interactions, the book devotes individual chapters to some of the important modern-day experimental tools, such as nuclear magnetic resonance, photon correlation spectroscopy, and the various types of neutron, x-ray, and light-scattering techniques. This new edition contains added sections on such subjects as synchrotron radiation, neutron spin echo, and diffusive wave spectroscopy. End-of-chapter problems have also been added.

The fourth edition of this book has been widely revised. It includes additional chapters and some sections are complemented with either new ones or an extension of their content. In this latest edition a complete treatment of the physics and properties of semiconductors is presented, covering transport phenomena in semiconductors, scattering mechanisms, radiation effects and displacement damages. Furthermore, this edition presents a comprehensive treatment of the Coulomb scattering on screened nuclear potentials resulting from electrons, protons, light- and heavy-ions — ranging from (very) low up to ultra-relativistic kinetic energies — and allowing one to derive the corresponding NIEL (non-ionizing energy-loss) doses deposited in any material. The contents are organized into two parts: Chapters 1 to 7 cover Particle Interactions and Displacement Damage while the remaining chapters focus on Radiation Environments and Particle Detection. This book can serve as reference for graduate students and final-year undergraduates and also as supplement for courses in particle, astroparticle, space physics and instrumentation. A section of the book is directed toward courses in medical physics. Researchers in experimental particle physics at low, medium, and high energy who are dealing with instrumentation will also find the book useful. Contents:Particle Interactions and Displacement Damage:IntroductionElectromagnetic Interaction of Charged Particles in MatterPhoton Interaction and Electromagnetic Cascades in MatterNuclear Interactions in MatterPhysics and Properties of Silicon SemiconductorTransport Phenomena in SemiconductorsRadiation Effects and Displacement Damage in SemiconductorsRadiation Environments and Particle Detection:Radiation Environments and Damage in SemiconductorsScintillating Media and Scintillator DetectorsSolid State DetectorsDisplacement Damages and Interactions in Semiconductor DevicesGas Filled ChambersPrinciples of Particle Energy DeterminationSuperheated Droplet (Bubble) Detectors and CDM SearchMedical Physics ApplicationsAppendices:General Properties and ConstantsMathematics and Statistics Readership: Researchers, academics, graduate students and professionals in accelerator, particle, astroparticle, space, applied and medical physics. Key Features:Exceptional large coverage of the different types of detectors used in particle and nuclear physics and their principles of detectionKeywords:Radiation Interaction in Matter;Solid State Detectors;Scintillator Detectors;Gas Filled Chamber Detectors;Energy Determination;Dark Matter;Double Beta Decay;Processes of Energy Deposition;Radiation Damages;Medical Physics Applications "The fourth edition has been extensively revised and offers additional chapters. It presents a comprehensive treatment of the Coulomb scattering on screened nuclear potentials resulting from electrons, positrons, protons, light- and heavy-ions and allowing one to derive the corresponding NIEL doses deposited in any material and compound, because of atomic displacements caused by the interaction." Professor Karel Kudela Institute of Experimental Physics

Material particles, electrons, atoms, molecules, interact with one another by means of electromagnetic forces. That is, these forces are the cause of their being combined into condensed (liquid or solid) states. In these condensed states, the motion of the particles relative to one another proceeds in orderly fashion; their individual properties as well as the electric and magnetic dipole moments and the radiation and absorption spectra, ordinarily vary little by comparison with their properties in the free state. Exceptiotls are the special so-called collective states of condensed media that are formed under phase transitions of the second kind. The collective states of matter are characterized to a high degree by the micro-ordering that arises as a result of the interaction between the particles and which is broken down by chaotic thermal motion under heating. Examples of such pheonomena are the superfluidity of liquid helium, and the superconductivity and ferromagnetism of metals, which exist only at temperatures below the critical temperature. At low temperature states the particles do not exhibit their individual characteristics and conduct themselves as a single whole in many respects. They flow along capillaries in ordered fashion and create an undamped current in a conductor or a macroscopic magnetic moment. In this regard the material acquires special properties that are not usually inherent to it.

Atoms, Radiation, and Radiation Protection offers professionals and advanced students a comprehensive coverage of the major concepts that underlie the origins and transport of ionizing radiation in matter. Understanding atomic structure and the physical mechanisms of radiation interactions is the foundation on which much of the current practice of radiological health protection is based. The work covers the detection and measurement of radiation and the statistical interpretation of the data. The procedures that are used to protect man and the environment from the potential harmful effects of radiation are thoroughly described. Basic principles are illustrated with an abundance of worked examples that exemplify practical applications. Chapters include problem sets (with partial answers) and extensive tables and graphs for continued use as a reference work. This completely revised and enlarged third edition includes thorough updates of the material, including the latest recommendations of the ICRP and NCRP.

Charged Particle and Photon Interactions with Matter offers in-depth perspectives on phenomena of ionization and excitation induced by charged particle and photon interactions with matter in vivo and in vitro. This reference probes concepts not only in radiation and photochemistry, but also in radiation physics, radiation biochemistry, and radiation biology as well as recent applications in medicine and material, environmental, space, and biological science and engineering. It studies reports on the interactions of high-energy photons, specifically in the vacuum ultraviolet-soft X-ray region to offer fundamental information on the primary processes of the interactions of charged particles with matter.

Intended for graduate-level introductory courses in nuclear physics and radiation interaction, Atoms, Nuclei, and Interactions of Ionizing Radiation with Matter gives students the foundation needed to study specialized subjects such as nuclear reactor physics, radiation transport methods, radiation detection, and radiation dosimetry. The text discusses the modern physics relevant to radiation interaction beginning with a condensed examination of nuclear physics and radioactive decay. There is an examination of nuclear reaction kinematics and how the different types of radiation engage in various types of nuclear or atomic interactions with matter. The interaction probability is discussed in term of "cross section." Both classical mechanics and wave mechanics are used to derive the cross section formulas. Specific examples are given when classical mechanics breaks down and quantum mechanics prevails. Extensively class-tested, the material in Atoms, Nuclei, and Interactions of Ionizing Radiation with Matter successfully links three closely-related subjects so that they can be taught in a succinct, one-semester course. The book is intended to serve as the primary text for entry-level radiation physics courses for students majoring in nuclear engineering, health physics, or medical physics. C-K Chris Wang, who earned his Ph.D. at Ohio State University, is a professor of nuclear engineering and medical physics at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Dr. Wang has published extensively in neutron dosimetry, detection, spectrometry, and radiobiological modeling. His other areas of expertise include nuclear physics, radiation interaction, Monte Carlo methods in radiation transport, radiation protection and shielding, nuclear criticality safety, micro/nanodosimetry, and high-LET radiotherapy.